Best Bass Guitar Pickups & Pickup Covers in 2022

Last update: December 20, 2022

Can you put covers over pickups?

Pickups are essentially magnets wrapped in wire, so it's possible to put a cover over them without affecting their function. However, many guitarists believe that covers negatively affect the tone of the pickups, so it's generally not recommended.

Can you remove pickup covers?

Most guitarists eventually find themselves wondering if they should remove the covers from their pickups. While there are some clear benefits to doing so, there are also some potential drawbacks. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what you hope to achieve by removing the covers. Benefits of removing pickup covers include increased clarity and definition, as well as a slightly brighter overall tone. Additionally, many players feel that uncovered pickups simply sound “punchier” and more aggressive. If you’re looking for more output from your pickups, removing the covers is one way to

Do bass pickup covers affect tone?

Bass pickup covers can affect the tone of your bass guitar in a couple of ways. Firstly, if your cover is made from a material that is magnetic, it will interact with the magnets in your pickups and slightly change their magnetic field. This can result in a change in the tone of your bass. Secondly, the cover can act as a barrier between the strings and the pickup, which can change the way the strings vibrate and affect the tone.

Do rusty pickups affect tone?

While some guitarists believe that a little bit of rust can actually improve the tone of a pickup, most people agree that too much rust will definitely have a negative effect on the sound. If your pickups are starting to sound a little bit dull, it might be time to give them a good cleaning.


Aguilar AG 4M 4-String MusicMan Pickup Review:


Aguilar AP60 purchased for my American Standard P-Bass. After using the Quarter Pounders for a while, I decided to try something new and was blown away by the Aguilar P-Bass pickups.Let's just say that I purchased a pickup for my MusicMan because I liked them so much.Again taken aback.After Christmas, I'll definitely get a pair for my Lakland DJ4 Jazz Bass. Thankfully, Aguilar tests all three Jazz pickups on a Lakland owned by Joe Osbourne.You'll enjoy this pickup; get one.



Fender Precision Bass Pickups - Original Vintage Design Review:


My vintage Precision Bass was produced in Mexico. I put up with the terrible pickups for a while before deciding to invest the money to update the pickups. I only perform as a passion for myself; I am not a professional. If not, I would have simply purchased a better bass. The stock pickups are noisy, but the instrument is still not horrible.If this is your first time switching pickups, it is not difficult. I removed the pick guard, cut the wires leading to the old pickups, took out the old pickups, and then inserted the new pickups. It was an easy change to solder the wires (black to black, white to white), wrap the solder connections in electrical tape or heat shrink tubing (electrical tape is preferred), and put everything back together. Make sure to position the pickups so that they are near but not touching the strings. At first, because of their distance, the sound would sometimes stop working. When the pickup screws are slightly loosened, they move closer to the strings and stop cutting out.Put I can say is "wow" now that I have it all together and have retuned the strings (which I had to loosen in order to work on the electronics). They sound fantastic and are hum-free (these are humbucking pickups). Very clear sound and good tone. Despite being a less expensive replica of the genuine article, this P-bass sounds fantastic. Good strings and pickups significantly improve the tone.I didn't make any other electronic changes. Although I've heard that the tone and volume potentiometers on P-bass models made outside of the United States are equally inexpensive, this instrument sounds astonishingly better with simply new pickups. If you currently own a less expensive model of the Precision Bass with subpar pickups that hum, I would strongly advise upgrading to these pickups.



Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass Pickup - (New) Review:


A Squire Affinity P-Bass is my second bass. I've always believed that a Squire is constructed of sound timber. The electronics and hardware are where they really scrimp. It's not the same board as an American Standard Precision Bass, don't get me wrong, but it can be tuned and tuned to play and sound well. That's actually an understatement, it turns out!When my wife got me an Amazon gift card, I used it to purchase the Seymour Duncan Basslines Quarter-pound P-Bass pickup set. Two solder connections were made, and the pickguard underwent a small adjustment (the pickup hole's rounder edges required to be squared off). That was resolved in five minutes with a utility knife and 10 minutes to stop the bleeding. To get the new pickup to stand up to an eighth of an inch from the depressed strings, I also had to pad the bottom of the pickup route.I reinstalled the screws, re-strung it, and connected it to the amplifier. WHOA! The inexpensive Affinity bass's thump is comparable to my Thunderbird's! Additionally, it weighs around 50% less. The tone is well balanced and incredibly pleasant. This engineering is outstanding.Any of the low-cost Fender P-basses would benefit greatly from the Basslines pickup update. Even though you may have had to make a concession to buy the instrument, this will help you greatly in mediating the compromise!



Luvay 12Pcs Piezo Pickup Transducer Prewired - 27mm Contact Microphone Trigger - Discs Elements for Acoustic Instrument: Guitar, Drum, CBG etc. with Leads Review:


I could hear a noise coming from my car's chassis. Since piezo transducers provide their own voltage, I connected one of these straight to a 3.5mm jack and the microphone input on my laptop. I moved the transducer around the chassis while holding it in place with tape, always conducting a test drive. I was able to identify which bearing was defective after performing multiple test runs. Keep in mind that you will need to tweak the microphone's strength and level to produce a usable signal without clipping the soundcard. (Yes, they produce a lot of signal without the need for any kind of amplifier, and if you hit them hard enough, they will produce volts of signal.) I recorded each test with Audacity before reviewing the signal levels of every run. Quite a savings versus paying over $100 for a genuine chassis ear.



Fender Pickup/Switch Screws (12) Review:


Original Fender parts are unmatched. The Philips head screw is an improvement over the "vintage" straight slot screw, which can cause the finish to be scratched if a screwdriver falls out of it. I chose Fender original components for the Tele I recently finished and the one I am presently working on. These appear to have a nickel plating and I believe they are 8-18, or 6-18 size screws.



KAISH Pack of 20 Bass Guitar Pickup Mounting Screws Pickup Springs Fits Precision P Bass Jazz J Bass or P90 Soap Bar Pickups Nickel Review:


next day of arrival. The measurements for screws and springs are accurate. installed two P90 pickups well with them. Drill pilot holes that are just a little smaller in diameter than the screw, wax the screw threads, and install. I had to use sidecuts to reduce the springs by.250 inches, which is obviously simple and quick. Ensure that the Phillips head completely aligns with the cross slots and apply just enough pressure to prevent slippage. 15 minutes from beginning to end. Thanks!



Fender Standard Guitar Neck Plate Review:


I've been gradually enhancing a parts Tele with genuine Fender components, including a neck from the 1950s. This satisfied my desire for something a little finer for the neck plate. I have three or more plates that are "budget priced," and this one is just as excellent as or perhaps better than the others. No, you won't get anything particularly substantial or hefty for this money, but if you're turning the screws so firmly that the plate bends, you're probably harming your neck, screws, etc.Since my neck doesn't have micro-tlit, I worried the hole for the micro-tilt could bother me, however it doesn't. I know that's a judgment decision, but I still felt the need to bring it up.Oh, and I also adore the "spaghetti logo." On the headstock of the neck, it is what I have.Additionally, some people might have claimed that the screw holes lack a bevel or angle. If so, it appears to be over 45 degrees, but it is negligible (which is how it should be, since it has to match the angle of the screws).One thing I want to be sure to note is that although the description may have said neck screws, this plate came with them. I certainly didn't need the 12 set of genuine Fender neck screws that I had purchased. Not a big deal because I'm sure I'll need them in the future, but this neck plate has them just in case.



Seymour Duncan Woody HC Hum-Canceling Soundhole Pickup Review:


Simply put, this is a cute little toy. It sounds more like an electric guitar because it doesn't transmit acoustic sound like a piezo would. The sound hole accepts it with great ease. Sometimes it gets in the way of my fingers, but you can change it by moving it. Additionally, you can tilt it so that it is either farther away from the treble strings and closer to the base strings. I like to add some grunge and have fun with it. If you're serious about performing on stage, I'd suggest just purchasing a piezo or investing in an acoustic electric. This is ideal for someone like myself who simply wants to experiment with various sounds for fun or doesn't feel bother drilling holes in a guitar.



lovermusic 120mm Hole Spacing Bridge Pickup Cover Plate Set for P Bass Chrome Review:


I really enjoy them.


Do uncovered pickups sound different?

There are many factors that can affect the sound of an electric guitar, including the type of pickups used. uncovered pickups are typically thought to produce a brighter, twangier sound than covered pickups. This is because uncovered pickups allow the strings to vibrate more freely, which can result in a more pronounced attack and higher highs. However, every guitar is different, so it's important to experiment with different types of pickups to see what works best for your instrument and playing style.

Does adding pickup covers affect sound?

It's a common misconception that adding a pickguard or other type of cover to your guitar's pickups will change the sound. The truth is, the sound of your pickups is determined by the type of magnets used and the coil windings, not by whether or not they're covered. So if you're looking to change the sound of your guitar, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Does changing pickups make a big difference?

No, changing pickups will not make a big difference. The reason for this is because pickups are only a part of the equation when it comes to getting a good sound out of your guitar. The other parts of the equation are your amp, your pedals, and your playing style.

Does pickup cover material matter?

There are many different types of cover materials for electric guitar pickups, including plastic, metal, and even wood. So, does the cover material matter? Generally speaking, no, the cover material does not matter. The cover is there to protect the pickup winding from dust and debris, and as long as it does that, it doesn't matter what it's made of. There are some exceptions, though. For example, some metal-covered pickups can produce a slightly different tone than plastic-covered pickups. And if you're going for a vintage-style guitar, you

Does pickup height affect tone?

The debate about whether or not pickup height affects tone is one that has been around for years, with no clear consensus. Some guitarists swear by setting their pickups as low as possible, while others prefer a higher setting. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what sounds best to you. If you're unsure of where to start, a good rule of thumb is to set your pickups so that they're level with the strings. From there, you can experiment with different heights to see what sounds best. Just remember that small adjustments can make a big difference, so don't

How can I make my pickups sound better?

There are a few things you can do to make your pickups sound better. One is to make sure they are properly installed and wired. Another is to use the right type of pickups for your style of playing. You can also experiment with different types of pickups to see what works best for you.